Fixing gelcoat damage

[Crypto2021]

The hull on my 1998 GTX LTD is pretty roughed up. Fiberglass showing in some spots (nothing larger than an inch long). I could attempt to patch these or re-do the entire hull.

 

[NickCawks]

When I did the bottom of my xp I built a frame out of 2x4s. I built it on the ski when it was on the trailer to avoid fitment issues and added some heavy duty castors so it could be moved in and out of the garage easily.

Before flipping it I had pulled everything out of the hull (motor, gas, and oil tank)

I then had a bbq and invited 5 friends over telling them I'd feed them if they helped me with something for a few minutes. The 6 of us flipped the ski onto the frame and even with the 6 of us it wasn't an easy task but we made it happen.

I've also seen people get one of those industrial wire spools cut the big wheels off the spool, then cut holes into the wheels to fit the front and back of the hull which allowed them to flip it over by themselves.

 

[1of500]

I've flipped a couple by myself. Turn sideways on bunks and roll over. Easy . Just make sure the trailer is hooked up to the truck

 

[Crypto2021]

Does anyone know what can be mixed with a clear gelcoat? I have a local dealer that can sell me a kit but they only sell clear and said I would have to make the color myself. I'm not sure what paint or dye to mix with gelcoat. If anyone knows please lmk asap.

 

[mikidymac]

No, gelcoat is tinted to the color. Gelcoat International sells the seadoo exact color match kits.
Honestly if it is just the bottom with some scratches it really isn't worth the trouble especially if you are going to be beaching the ski as it is really just cosmetic.
To recoat the entire bottom of the ski is a huge time consuming process with sanding, sanding and more sanding to get it nice.

 

[1of500]

No, gelcoat is tinted to the color. Gelcoat International sells the seadoo exact color match kits.
Honestly if it is just the bottom with some scratches it really isn't worth the trouble especially if you are going to be beaching the ski as it is really just cosmetic.
To recoat the entire bottom of the ski is a huge time consuming process with sanding, sanding and more sanding to get it nice.

No to mention having somewhere to do it

 

[1of500]

Get patch kit
http://www.gelcote.com/

 

[Crypto2021]

No, gelcoat is tinted to the color. Gelcoat International sells the seadoo exact color match kits.
Honestly if it is just the bottom with some scratches it really isn't worth the trouble especially if you are going to be beaching the ski as it is really just cosmetic.
To recoat the entire bottom of the ski is a huge time consuming process with sanding, sanding and more sanding to get it nice.

I mostly want to cover up the fiber glass with some gelcoat. I've decided against redoing the bottom as it would be a lot more work. However, the gelcoat repair kit is clear and not tinted at all. The person I spoke with at the dealer was saying I mixed in a color myself.

 

[1of500]

Gelcote international made the gel for all seadoos. They used to sell color matching kits check on the link above

 

[Crypto2021]

Gelcote international made the gel for all seadoos. They used to sell color matching kits check on the link above

I know they sell color specific gel coat. I'm more or less asking if anyone has used the clear gel coat. I've found couple youtube videos on people mixing in some color themselves. I would prefer this method because I like to support this dealer when I can and also no shipping time etc.

 

[mikidymac]

You can get the universal kits from evercoat and try to match the color yourself but it will always be obvious it isn't a perfect match. Like I said, there is no reason to fix the bottom scratches except of cosmetic reasons.

$45 on Amazon

 

[Crypto2021]

You can get the universal kits from evercoat and try to match the color yourself but it will always be obvious it isn't a perfect match. Like I said, there is no reason to fix the bottom scratches except of cosmetic reasons.

$45 on Amazon
View attachment 52942

I understand, I really only want to patch the spots with exposed fiberglass. I don't want further damage to occur mostly.

 

[NickCawks]

Pervious owner of my xp went this route and it's bad. Obvious color mismatch is an understatement.

If your unconcerned about the look and want to support local just use clear

 

[mikidymac]

So the local place sells clear gelcoat but no pigment? That is just strange as nobody uses clear gelcoat.
But you can buy generic white for $11 on Amazon.

 

[Crypto2021]

So the local place sells clear gelcoat but no pigment? That is just strange as nobody uses clear gelcoat.
But you can buy generic white for $11 on Amazon.
View attachment 52943

My mistake, I misunderstood the dealer. It does come with a set of colors. That first picture you posted actually made me question if that's what it was and sure enough, it looks very similar to that. I guess my next question is in regards to the 1998 GTX LTD colors. Does anyone have the ratio or hex for this model? I need the bottom of the hull and white color on the hull as well. Thanks a ton everyone!

 

[mikidymac]

With these kits, you are just going to have to mix a little at a time and try to get it close. Close is as good as you are going to get.

 

[Crypto2021]

With these kits, you are just going to have to mix a little at a time and try to get it close. Close is as good as you are going to get.

I know the color of the bottom is Aztec red, or a burgundy, some have also called it a slightly dull maroon. I'm going to attempt to get the ratio of that red as perfect as possible by weighing out the grams of each color I mix in.

 

[etemplet]

I gotta read up on this. I bought a gel coat kit and for $45 it is about 2 oz.. I thought for $45 I'd have something to do a little work. Not buying crap from them (Gelcoat International) again. I need to do a few patchs on the white bottom of the ski. I'm not worried about a miscolor match just to fill in a couple of gouges. It will be a first for me.

 

[Crypto2021]

I gotta read up on this. I bought a gel coat kit and for $45 it is about 2 oz.. I thought for $45 I'd have something to do a little work. Not buying crap from them (Gelcoat International) again. I need to do a few patchs on the white bottom of the ski. I'm not worried about a miscolor match just to fill in a couple of gouges. It will be a first for me.

Read the instructions carefully and take your time.